Bath Christmas market

A trip to Bath is a great day out for any visitor to London. Packed with honey-coloured stone buildings and charming Georgian streets, the city is undoubtedly one of the UK’s prettiest. Visit during the Bath Christmas market and you’ll find sparkling fairy lights and twinkling chalets selling all sorts of handcrafted goodies.

Market highlights

For us, the real highlight is the atmosphere. In spite of the crowds, visitors wander leisurely, ambling from one stall to another. Products include personalised gifts, Christmas decorations, handcrafted jewellery, hand-painted ceramics and toiletries. With most of the stallholders coming from Bath or the South West, there’s a big focus on supporting small local businesses. Stallholders are justifiably proud of their products.

Twinkly stalls at Bath Christmas market — Decorative stalls at Bath Christmas market

What about food?

Yes, there are plenty of places to find food! Beautifully-wrapped selections of chocolate-coated honeycomb chunks, fudge, liquorice, cheese, sausages, pickles and artisan preserves were amongst our favourite foodie gifts this year. For a bite on the spot, mouth-watering raclette-style jacket potatoes and deliciously crumbly mince pies filled the gap.

Melt in your mouth home made mince pies, Bath Christmas markeet — Home made mince pies

Is there other entertainment?

We loved the fact that the sound of choirs and brass bands filled the air. There was even the opportunity to pop into the Abbey for a Christmas Carol concert!

Visit Bath Abbey during the Christmas market — Bath Abbey

Christmas carol concert in Bath Abbey, Bath Christmas market — Christmas carols, Bath Abbey

What else is there to do?

Bath has a fantastic shopping centre and of course all the shops are open as usual. When you need some respite from the crowds, take a stroll across Pulteney Bridge and enjoy the view as you walk along the River Avon.

Don't miss views of Pulteney Bridge in Bath — Pulteney Bridge spans the River Avon in Bath

If this is your first visit to Bath, visit the Roman Baths or wander up to the city’s magnificent architectural treasures of the Royal Crescent and The Circus.

Bath's Royal Crescent is one of the city's architectural highlights — Royal Crescent, Bath

When is the Christmas market?

This year, the market runs from 28 November to 15 December 2019. Stalls open at 10 am and close at 6pm (Sundays), 7pm (Monday – Wednesday) and 8.00pm (Thursdays -Saturdays).

Getting there

Travel by train from Paddington. The journey takes 1.5 hours and takes you straight into Bath city centre.